Window can end unit



Sept. 19, 1967 'RLAND 3,342,367

WINDOW CAN END UNIT Filed Oct. 20, 1965 INVENTOR LEWIS F IR LAND 33 W MAW KJMQQW gm/n] AfTORNEYs United States Patent 3,342,367 WINDOW CAN END UNIT Lewis F. Irland, Hiusdale, 111., assignor to Continental Can Company, Inc., New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Oct. 20, 1965, Ser. No. 498,369 18 Claims. (Cl. 220-54) This invention relates in general to new and useful improvements in can ends of the window type, and more particularly to a novel easy opening window can end.

The usual window can end is in the form of a unit which includes a, conventional type of can end having a portion of the end panel thereof cut away to define a window opening, and a panel of transparent material is sealed to the underside of the end panel closing the window opening. When it is desired to open the container, it is necessary to either utilize a can opener to remove the end panel and transparent panel in the normal manner or to cut away the transparent panel in alignment with the window opening and dispense the product through the smaller area of the window opening. Both of these are obviously inconvenient, particularly when no opening tool is available.

In accordance with this invention, it is proposed to provide a novel window can end unit wherein the end panel of the can end is provided with a weakening line surrounding the window opening, and a pull tab is secured to the end panel intermediate the weakening line and the window opening whereby when it is desired to open a can of which the window can end unit is a part, it is merely necessary to pull upon the pull tab to remove substantially all of the end panel and the transparent panel.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel window can end unit which includes a conventional type of can end having a portion of the end panel thereof removed to define a window opening and the end panel being provided with a peripheral weakening line to facilitate the tearing out of a major portion of the end panel, and the can end having bonded to the underside thereof a transparent panel which closes the window opening, the transparent panel being bonded to the underside of the end panel generally in alignment with the weakening line whereby when the end panel is torn along the weakening line, the transparent panel will be torn in a like manner.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a novel window can end unit of the foregoing type wherein the transparent panel is provided with ribs on opposite sides of the weakening line to limit the tearing of the transparent panel to generally the area aligned with the weakening line.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel window can end unit of the type set forth above wherein the transparent panel is of a minimum thickness in alignment with the weakening line and the material displaced in the thinning of the transparent panel is re-formed as ribs disposed on opposite sides of the thinned area to both facilitate the tearing of the transparent panel in alignment with the weakening line and to so limit the tearing of the transparent panel.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a novel transparent panel for use with a can end in the formation of a window can end unit, the transparent panel being of a laminated construction and including at least an inner layer and an outer layer, the inner layer having a tear strip portion of minimum thickness with the material of the inner layer which is displaced in the thinning thereof being reshaped as a pair of ribs disposed on opposite sides of the tear strip.

With the above and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear, the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description, the appended claims and the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawing:

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary top perspective view of a can incorporating the can end unit of this invention.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the can end unit.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1 with intermediate portions of the can end unit being broken away.

FIGURE 4 is a bottom plan view of the window can end unit prior to the securement thereof to a can body.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIGURE 4.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that there is illustrated in FIGURES 1, 2 and 3 a can which is generally referred to by the numeral 10. The can 10 includes a conventional can body 11 to which there is secured by means of a double seam 12 the window can end unit which is the subject of this invention, the window can end unit being generally referred to by the numeral 13. The window can end unit 13 is basically formed of a can end, which is generally referred to by the numeral 14, and a panel, which is generally referred to by the numeral 15, the panel preferably being transparent.

The basic construction of the can end 14 is that of a conventional can end. Basically, the can end 14 includes an end panel 16 which is surrounded by an upstanding chuck wall 17. The chuck wall 17 terminates in a flange 18 particularly adapted for the securement to a can body, such as the can body 11, by means of a. double seam, such as the double seam 12. However, the can end 14 differs from conventional can ends in that a major portion of the end panel 16 is cut away to define a window opening 20. In addition, the end panel 16 is provided with a peripheral weakening line 21 in the form of a score. It is to be noted that the score line 21 is disposed adjacent the chuck wall 17 so that a major portion of the end panel 16 may be removed in the opening of the can 10 At this time it is pointed out that the can end 14- illustrated in the drawings is a conventional circular can end and that the score line 21 is circular in outline. It is also to be noted that a major portion of the outline of the window opening 20 is circular and concentric to the score line 21. However, a portion of the window opening 20 is defined by a straight line 22 which is disposed generally chordal with respect to both the circular outline portion of the window opening 20 and the circular score line 21. It will be apparent from FIGURE 1 that the particular shaping of the window opening 20 and the outline of the score line 21 results in the formation of a removable end panel portion 23 of which the major portion is ring shaped, but including a relatively wide strap like portion 24 disposed between the straight line edge 22 of the window opening 20 and the adjacent portion of the score line 21. It is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to either a circular can end or the specific outline of window opening. However, a relatively wide strap portion, such as the strap portion 24, must form part of the removable panel portion for reasons which will become apparent hereinafter.

The strap portion 24 is worked upon to define an integral rivet 25. The integral rivet 25 is utilized in securing a pull tab, which is generally referred to by the numeral 26, to the removable end panel portion 23. It will be apparent that in order to provide suflicient metal for the formation of the rivet 25, the strap portion 24 must be of a certain width.

Although the illustrated can end is circular in outline, the invention is not so limited. For example, the can end may be rectangular in outline and the equivalent of the strap like portion 24 may be in one corner of the can end. The specific configuration of the pull tab 26 is not a part of this invention. However, it is pointed out here that the pull tab 26 is formed of sheet metal which has edge portions thereof reversely folded to provide for a maximum strength where needed. Generally speaking, the pull tab 26 may be considered as including a ring portion, which is generally referred to by the numeral 27, and an attaching portion, which is generally referred to by the numeral 28. The ring portion 27 is hingedly connected to the attaching portion 28 so that the ring portion 27 may be initially lifted relative to the end panel 16, and then an upwardly directed force may be applied to the attaching portion 23.

It is also pointed out that the attaching portion 28 includes an attaching ear 29 which is hingedly connected to the remainder thereof. The attaching car 29 has an opening 30 through which the rivet 25 passes. It is to be noted that the rivet 25 is upset to secure the attaching car 29 firmly against the end panel 16. It is also to be noted that a free edge 31 of the attaching portion 28 is aligned with the score line 21. When the attaching portion 28 is lifted, it will pivot relative to the attaching ear 29 and the free edge 31 will exert a downwardly directed force on the end panel 16 in alignment with the score line 21 to initially rupture the end portion 16. The pull tab 26 may then be pulled upwardly and to the right, as viewed in FIGURE 3 to completely tear out the removable end panel portion 23.

It is highly desirable that the panel 15 be effectively sealed with respect to the can end 14 and at the same time that portion thereof underlying the removable panel portion 23 be removed automatically therewith in the opening of the can 10. To this end, the panel 15 has a tear strip portion 32 which is aligned with the score line 21. The tear strip portion 32 is thinner than the remainder of the panel 15 so as to facilitate the tearing thereof. In order to limit the tearing of the panel 15 to the tear strip portion 32, the material displaced in the thinning of the panel 15 along the tear strip portion 32 is utilized to form a pair of ribs 33 which are disposed on opposite sides of the tear strip portion 32.

Referring now to FIGURE in particular, it will be seen that the panel 15 may be of a laminated construction. The laminated panel 15 may include an outer layer 34, which is of a constant thickness, and an inner layer 35 which is thinned to define the tear strip portion 32 and which has the ribs 33 formed integrally therewith. It has een found that Saran forms a satisfactory outer layer while Mylar forms a satisfactory inner layer. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the panel 15 is formed of a layer of Saran having a thickness of 0.00075 inch and an inner layer formed of Mylar having a thickness of 0.002 inch. The tear strip portion 32 of the Mylar layer is reduced to a thickness to form the beads 33 having a radius of approximately 0.003 inch.

In the sealing of the panel 15 to the can end 14, it is preferred that the panel 15 extend out into the flange 18 of the can end so that it may become clamped between the can body and the can end in the formation of the double seam 12 in the manner shown in FIGURE 3 so as to assure the proper sealing of the panel 15 with respect to the can body 11. When the panel 15 is of this extent, the peripheral portion thereof should be bonded to the can end 14, and this is preferably accomplished by means of a heat sealing operation.

It is also desired that the panel 15 be bonded to the end panel 16 in underlying relation to the score line 21. This bonding can also be accomplished by heat sealing. It is to be noted that in the illustrated form of the invention, the panel 15 is bonded to the can end 14 from the inner rib 33 outwardly to the peripheral edge of the 4 panel 15. On the other hand, the heat sealing of the panel 15 to the can end 14 may be restricted to that area of the panel 15 disposed between the two ribs 33. In this event, the ribs 33 will also function to absorb heat and restrict the heat sealing of the end panel 15 to the can end 14.

It is to be noted that the panel 15 is sealed to the removable portion 23 of the end panel 16 including along the strap portion 24. The heat scaling to the strap portion is in the form of a strip which is identified by the numeral 36 in FIGURE 4. The peripheral heat sealing is identified by the numeral 37.

It will be readily apparent that when the end panel 16 is ruptured along the score line 21 and the removable portion 23 is lifted, the underlying portion of the panel 15 will be lifted and will be torn against the raw edge of the outer peripheral portion of the end panel 16. Of course, by making the panel 15 thinner in alignment with the score line 21 and providing the ribs 33, rupture of the panel 15 generally in alignment with the score line 21 is assured Although only a preferred embodiment of the invention has been specifically illustrated and described herein, it is to be understood that minor variations may be made in the disclosed can end within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A window can end unit comprising a can end and a panel of transparent material, said can end including an end panel and a peripheral attaching portion, a window opening in said end panel, said transparent panel being sealed to said end panel and closing said window opening, in peripheral weakening line in said end panel surrounding said window opening and a pull tab secured to said end panel intermediate said weakening line and said window opening for facilitating the tearing out of all of said can end unit disposed within the outline of said weakening line.

2. The window can end unit of claim 1 wherein a major portion of the periphery of said window opening is disposed equidistant from said weakening line, and a small portion of the periphery of said window opening is disposed a greater distance from said weakening line and defining a pull tab connecting area on said end panel.

3. The window can end unit of claim 1 wherein said weakening line is of a circular outline, a major portion of the outline of said window opening being circular and concentric with said weakening line, the outline of said window opening also including a radially inwardly displaced line portion, and there being a relatively wide end panel portion disposed between said weakening line and said window opening radially inwardly displaced line portion to which said pull tab is attached.

4. The window can end unit of claim 1 wherein said transparent panel is bonded to said end panel along said weakening line.

5. The window can end unit of claim 1 wherein said transparent panel is bonded to said end panel along said weakening line, and extending into said peripheral attaching portion for sealing engagement with a can body.

6. The window can end unit of claim 1 wherein said transparent panel extends outwardly of said weakening line and has a pair of spaced apart reinforcing ribs disposed on opposite sides of said weakening line to confine the tearing of said transparent panel when said end panel unit is being torn open.

7. The window can end unit of claim 1 wherein said transparent panel extends outwardly of said weakening line and has a pair of spaced apart reinforcing ribs disposed on opposite sides of said weakening line to confine the tearing of said transparent panel when said end panel unit is being torn open, and that portion of said transparent panel disposed between said ribs is bonded to the underside of said end panel.

8. The window can end unit of claim 1 wherein said transparent panel extends outwardly of said weakening line and has a pair of spaced apart reinforcing ribs disposed on opposite sides of said weakening line to confine the tearing of said transparent panel when said end panel unit is being torn open, and that portion of said transparent panel disposed between said ribs is thinner than the rest of said transparent panel to facilitate tearing of said transparent panel between said ribs.

9. The window can end unit of claim 1 wherein said transparent panel extends outwardly of said weakening line and has a pair of spaced apart reinforcing ribs disposed on opposite sides of said weakening line to confine the tearing of said transparent panel when said end panel unit is being torn open, and that portion of said transparent panel disposed between said ribs is thinner than the rest of said transparent panel to facilitate tearing of said transparent panel between said ri-bs, the material of said ribs being that resulting from the thinning of said transparent panel.

10. The window can end unit of claim 1 wherein said transparent panel extends outwardly of said weakening line and has a pair of spaced apart reinforcing ribs disposed on opposite sides of said weakening line to confine the tearing of said transparent panel when said end panel unit is being torn open, said transparent panel being of a laminated film construction and including at least an inner layer and an outer layer, and said ribs being formed on only said inner layer.

11. The window can end unit of claim 1 wherein said transparent panel extends outwardly of said weakening line and has a pair of spaced apart reinforcing ribs disposed on opposite sides of said weakening line to confine the tearing of said transparent panel when said end panel unit is being torn open, said transparent panel being of a laminated film construction and including at least an inner layer and an outer layer, and said ribs being formed on only said inner layer, that portion of said inner layer disposed between said ribs being thinner than the rest of said transparent panel to facilitate tearing of said transparent panel between said ribs.

12. The window can end unit of claim 1 wherein said transparent panel extends outwardly of said weakening line and has a pair of spaced apart reinforcing ribs disposed on opposite sides of said weakening line to confine the tearing of said transparent panel when said end panel unit is being torn open, said transparent panel being of a laminated film construction and including at least an inner layer and an outer layer, and said ribs being formed on only said inner layer, that portion of said inner layer disposed between said ribs being thinner than the rest of said transparent panel to facilitate tearing of said transparent panel between said ribs, the material of said ribs being that resulting from the thinning of said inner layer.

13. A panel for a window can end, said panel being formed of a tearable material and having formed on the underside thereof two closely spaced apart ribs defining therebetween a tear strip portion.

14. A panel for a window can end, said panel being formed of a tearable material and having formed on the underside thereof two closely spaced apart ribs defining therebetween a tear strip portion, and said tear strip portion being thinner than the rest of said panel to facilitate the tearing of said panel.

15. A panel for a window can end, said panel being formed of a tearable material and having formed on the underside thereof two closely spaced apart ribs defining therebetween a tear strip portion, and said tear strip portion being thinner than the rest of said panel to facilitate the tearing of said panel, the material of said ribs being that displaced from said tear strip portion forming said ribs.

16. The panel of claim 13 wherein said tearable material is a lamination of at least two layers and said ribs are formed on only one of said layers.

17. The panel of claim 14 wherein said tearable material is a lamination of at least two layers and said ribs are formed on only one of said layers, and the thinning of said panel is primarily confined to said one layer.

18. The panel of claim 14 wherein said tearable material is a lamination of at least two layers and said ribs are formed on only one of said layers, and the thinning of said panel is primarily confined to said one layer, the material of said ribs being that displaced from said tear strip portion forming said ribs.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,089,609 5/1963 DAndrea 22054 X 3,122,990 3/ 1964 Fried 22,0--82 X THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner.

G. T. HALL, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A WINDOW CAN END UNIT COMPRISING A CAN END AND A PANEL OF TRANSPARENT MATERIAL, SAID CAN END INCLUDING AN END PANEL AND A PERIPHERAL ATTACHING PORTION, A WINDOW OPENING IN SAID END PANEL, SAID TRANSPARENT PANEL BEING SEALED TO SAID END PANEL AND CLOSING SAID WINDOW OPENING, IN PERIPHERAL WEAKENING LINE IN SAID END PANEL SURROUNDING SAID WINDOW OPENING AND A PULL TAB SECURED TO SAID END PANEL INTERMEDIATE SAID WEAKENING LINE AND SAID WINDOW OPENING FOR FACILITATING THE TEARING OUT OF ALL OF SAID CAN END UNIT DISPOSED WITHIN THE OUTLINE OF SAID WEAKENING LINE. 